If you've just graduated or are working a corporate job, you might be thinking about freelancing. But why? Probably because of the flexibility and freedom it offers. The best advice I’ve heard is to prepare well before starting any work that takes time and effort. The same goes for freelancing—good planning can help you succeed.

When I received offers from local startups and companies through freelancing platforms, I was surprised to see that many treated freelancing as just a side hobby. Some people think they can do it part-time without real commitment. But is that true? No. Freelancing requires time, effort, and focus. If you can’t dedicate yourself to it, it’s better to step away.

How to Get Started in Freelancing?

If you're new to freelancing, you might wonder what steps to take for a strong start. To help, I’ve focused on four key questions that every freelancer needs to answer:

1. How to create an eye-catching profile

2. Effective strategies to understand your clients

3. How to write attractive and meaningful proposals

4. How to negotiate profitable deals with clients

📌 Note: This is a beginner-friendly guide for freelancers who have just started or have been freelancing for about a year. In this article, I will use examples from the -Upwork platform, as it is one of the most widely used platforms for freelance jobs worldwide.

How to Create an Eye-Catching Profile?

To explain this, I’ll share my real experience, including some mistakes I made while setting up my Upwork profile.

When starting your freelancing journey, take some time to explore other freelancers' profiles. This will give you a clear idea of how to structure your own profile effectively.

But where can you find these profiles? It’s simple! When creating your Upwork profile, you’ll be asked to add your skills—Upwork allows you to list up to 15–20 skills (e.g., Web Development, Web Design, React, Node.js, Python, etc.).

Once you've added your skills, Upwork's homepage will show job posts from clients worldwide that match your expertise. This is a great way to observe successful freelancers in your niche and learn what makes their profiles stand out.

Picking the Right Profile Title

Your profile title is the first thing clients see, so it should clearly define what you do. If you're a web designer or developer, choose a title that accurately reflects your skills and expertise.

Here are some key tips for writing an effective title:

✅ Be clear and client-friendly – A well-crafted title helps attract the right clients. Avoid generic titles that are too short or vague.

✅ Make it specific – Instead of just "Full-Stack Developer," add relevant technologies to showcase your expertise.

* ❌ Full-Stack Developer (Too generic)

* ✅ Full-Stack Developer (React.js, Next.js, Strapi CMS) (More specific and informative)

✅ Use relevant keywords – Clients search for freelancers using specific keywords. If you're unsure which words to include, browse job posts related to your skills and note the common terms clients use.

✅ Keep it concise – A long title can be overwhelming. Use selective words that highlight your strengths without making it too lengthy.

🚀 Pro Tip: Clients often look for specialists in specific technologies. If you're skilled in React.js, Node.js, or Python, be sure to include those keywords in your title to improve visibility.

Writing a Bio

I’ve found that the bio section isn’t the most critical part of your profile. In most cases, clients don’t spend much time reading it—they focus more on your proposals and work history. That’s why having a personal portfolio website to showcase your skills is often more beneficial. (I’ll explain more about this later.)

That said, don’t overcomplicate your bio. Instead of spending time making it look fancy, just keep it clear and to the point.

✅ What to Include in Your Bio:

* Who you are

* What you do

* Your experience and skill

That’s it! A well-written bio should give visitors a quick idea of your expertise without unnecessary fluff. Keep it simple and effective.

Creating a Resume

Many clients may ask for a resume, so it’s good to have a short and simple one ready. Your resume should include all essential details:

✅ Education


✅ Work experience

✅ Skills


✅ Projects

Resume Tips:

* Avoid making it a single page—it can be hard to read and may not fit all your important details. A 2-3 page resume is ideal for clarity and readability.

* Keep it well-structured and easy to scan—clients won’t spend much time reading long paragraphs.

⚠️ A Word of Caution

Some clients ask for resumes just to collect personal contact details (email, phone, Skype), which they can’t request on Upwork before starting a contract. You may also come across clients who offer jobs outside of Upwork. While this can be tempting, it carries risks—always assess the situation carefully before making a decision.

Why Am I Focusing on Client Attention?

In freelancing, first impressions matter—it only takes a few seconds for a client to decide whether to consider your proposal. Most clients don’t have the time to read long resumes or check every detail of your profile. Instead, they look for freelancers who best match their project requirements and budget.

For example, if a project has a budget of $300–$400, do you think a freelancer with 5+ years of experience will take it? Probably not—unless they are working part-time or have extra time.

However, don’t assume that small-budget projects are quick and easy. Many clients fail to provide proper guidelines, which can lead to frustration and project cancellations. That's why long-term projects are often preferred by freelancers, as constantly finding new clients takes time and effort.

Upwork’s Experience Levels

Upwork categorizes freelancers into three levels based on their experience:

1. Entry Level – For beginners or those with limited experience.

2. Intermediate – For those with a decent level of experience.

3. Expert Level – For highly skilled professionals.

Clients hire based on their budget—they won’t hire an expert freelancer if they have a low budget. Similarly, expert freelancers rarely send proposals for small contracts. Understanding this helps you position yourself better and apply for projects that align with your experience level.

Effective Strategies to Understand Your Clients

One of the biggest challenges in freelancing is getting to know your clients. If you’ve been freelancing for a while or just started, you’ve probably noticed that many clients on Upwork don’t have a profile picture and avoid video calls. These types of clients are often non-retainable and unlikely to work with you long-term.

🚨 Warning Signs to Watch For:

* Clients who don’t reveal their identity or refuse video calls.

* Clients who constantly change project requirements.

* Clients who avoid discussing payment terms clearly.

Hourly vs. Fixed-Price Projects

On Upwork, you can work in two ways: hourly or fixed-price contracts.

✅ Hourly contracts are generally safer because payment is tracked through Upwork’s time-tracking system.


✅ Fixed-price contracts are common, especially when you're just starting out. However, they come with risks.

Protect Yourself in Fixed-Price Projects

If a client insists on a fixed-price contract, follow these steps to stay safe:

1. Break the project into milestones – This ensures you get paid step by step.

2. Don’t let the client control milestones – Set them yourself to avoid surprises.

3. Clarify project scope – Some clients may add extra tasks without increasing the budget.

4. Get everything in writing – Clearly define deliverables and payment terms upfront.

I’ve personally encountered clients who added extra tasks beyond the original agreement and then made excuses to avoid paying. To avoid this, always set clear boundaries and stick to the agreed scope of work.

How to Write Good and Attractive Proposals?

A strong proposal can get you hired in seconds—but writing long, generic proposals won't help. To create an eye-catching proposal, follow these key steps:

1️⃣ Read the Job Description Carefully

* Understand what the client is looking for.

* Identify specific skills and project details.

2️⃣ Analyze Client Requirements

* What problems do they need solved?

* Do they mention any specific tools, technologies, or approaches?

3️⃣ Check the Required Expertise Level

* Is the client looking for Entry-Level, Intermediate, or Expert freelancers?

* Apply only if you fit their expectations.

4️⃣ Review the Budget

* Ensure it aligns with your expectations.

* If the budget seems low but the project is interesting, consider negotiating.

🚨 Avoid Copy-Paste Proposals!
Clients can immediately recognize generic proposals and will ignore them. Instead, write a personalized response that directly addresses their needs.

How to Make Your Proposal Stand Out?

✅ Show that you understand the client’s problem.


✅ Mention relevant experience or past work.


✅ Keep it short, clear, and professional.


✅ Use a friendly yet confident tone.

By following these steps, you'll increase your chances of getting noticed and landing more freelance jobs! 🚀

How to Make a Profitable Deal with Clients?

Dealing with clients isn’t easy—they have many options, so if you can’t negotiate properly, they will simply hire someone else. Here’s how to secure the right projects while avoiding bad deals.

1️⃣ Understand the Requirements & Budget

🔹 Look at the client's requirements and budget together.


🔹 Some clients expect high-level skills but offer low pay—avoid these if they don’t align with your value.


🔹 If the budget doesn’t match your worth, politely decline and move on.

2️⃣ Signs of Cheap & Untrustworthy Clients

🚩 No profile setup on Upwork (No picture, reviews, or past hiring history).


🚩 Avoids video calls or won’t verify identity.


🚩 Unclear project scope—they keep adding tasks without proper guidelines.


🚩 Asks you to work outside of Upwork—this is a red flag!

❗ Important:
Working outside of Upwork violates its guidelines. If anything goes wrong (e.g., non-payment, fraud), you won’t get any support.

3️⃣ Avoid Scams & Fraudulent Offers

Scammers target beginners with tempting offers. Here’s how they operate:

1️⃣ They contact you and ask to chat on Telegram or another platform.


2️⃣ They offer a simple task with high pay (e.g., "$5000 for a basic task").


3️⃣ Once you complete it, they claim to send payment via cryptocurrency.


4️⃣ To withdraw the money, they ask you to pay a small "activation fee" (e.g., $200).


5️⃣ As soon as you pay, your account gets blocked, and the website disappears.

💡 Stay Safe?


✅ Never accept jobs outside Upwork before a contract is started.

✅ Avoid sharing personal details like email, phone, or Telegram ID.


✅ Never pay money upfront for any job or activation fee.

🚨 Rule of Thumb:
If it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. Stay alert and stay safe! 🚀

Conclusion

In this post, we covered:


✅ How to start freelancing the right way.


✅ How to grab clients' attention and stand out.


✅ How to handle challenges in freelancing.


✅ How to avoid scams and bad clients.

🚀 Now it’s your turn! If you're serious about freelancing, start your journey with proper preparation and strategy.

💡 Need more help?


If you have any questions or need personalized guidance, you can book a consultation with me on UpWork. I’ll help you step by step to resolve your freelancing challenges.

✨ Thanks for reading! Wishing you success in your freelancing journey! 🚀